Squid skin will help the US military become invisible
Of all the animals, squids differ by almost the best natural camouflage. They are so immaculately dissolved in the surrounding landscape that their victims, until the very last moment, do not suspect that a predator is near them. On the skin of the squid there are special iridophore cells that contain several layers of reflectin protein. With the help of this protein, mollusks are able to easily camouflage under the surrounding terrain when fishing for prey. These properties of squid attracted the attention of scientists who have long been working on the creation of any analogue of the fabulous "invisible cap".
American experts working on the creation of individual protection for the soldiers, made an announcement of the work on the unique camouflage based on squid skin. American scientists 23 March 2015 presented their developments at the national conference of the American Chemical Society, the Science Daily reported. Scientists have created equipment for the soldiers, which uses the protein of this marine inhabitant. The invention very quickly interested the military. The idea of developing camouflage from innovative material first appeared after statistics on the death of soldiers at night were made public. Due to the use of night-vision equipment by the enemy, the statistics turned out to be simply frightening. While during the day the soldier effectively camouflages ordinary camouflage, at night they hardly manage to escape from the enemy’s night vision devices.
Standard military camouflage uniforms, made in different colors depending on the region of use, quite effectively hide fighters from the enemy in virtually any terrain, but only during the daytime. With the onset of night, camouflage does not play any role if the enemy has night vision devices; he is unable to protect soldiers from the effects of infrared radiation and, accordingly, firing at them. To eliminate this flaw, chemist Alon Gorodetsky of the University of California decided to use the properties of squid skin, which are able to easily disguise as the surrounding terrain.
American scientists have paid attention to the ability of squid to disguise, finding that in their skin are special cells called iridocytes and containing the protein reflectin. Such cells are able to form individual clusters or layers under the influence of flowing biochemical reactions. They can also change the thickness of the layers and the distance between them, thereby changing the reflectivity of some areas or the entire skin of the mollusk.
Initially, scientists created a technology for producing thin layers of reflex by special bacteria. The effect of masking in infrared light in this particular case was provided by the treatment of films with vapors of concentrated acetic acid. However, the use of such technology in a combat situation, of course, is completely unacceptable. Then they decided to modify the technology and now reflectin films are deposited on specially prepared polymer substrates that resemble the kind of adhesive tape that is in every home. These elements can easily be attached to a variety of materials, including fabrics.
Experts in the field of creating military ammunition note that such “stickers” are able to effectively protect soldiers from fixation with thermal imagers and night vision devices. The effect of their use is 100%, which is expected to cause a stir among the US military. Many army units have already expressed their interest in a new scientific development. Prepared films of reflectin protein on polymeric substrates can be easily glued onto uniforms and items of military ammunition. Scientists expect to produce such a film rolls. A soldier can always get an inexpensive single-use roll from a knapsack, unfold it or stick it on his uniform, and after use simply take it off and discard it. Camouflage functions will be activated mechanically by stretching.
“Our approach is simple and it is fully compatible with a very wide range of surfaces, potentially allowing you to hide a large number of objects from the“ infrared view ”,” says inventor Alon Gorodetsky. "Our long-term goal is to develop a fabric that can dynamically change its color and texture in order to adapt to the environment is the task of a science fiction level," the scientist shared his ambitious plans for development.
So far, the technology is not yet fully prepared, and there is no talk of testing in the field. But in the near future, soldiers will be able to take along a special roll of masking tape for operation, which can be used as needed. At the same time, a number of problems remain unsolved: how to increase the versatility of labels and increase their brightness. So far, this film shows itself well only in the range of near-infrared light. Therefore, the developers were tasked with expanding the effect of such a film on the mid- and long-wavelength part of the infrared range.
Information sources:
http://gearmix.ru/archives/19062
http://www.gpclub.ru/11163.html
http://www.gpclub.ru/11216.html
http://www.bfm.ru/news/289014?from=popular_1
American experts working on the creation of individual protection for the soldiers, made an announcement of the work on the unique camouflage based on squid skin. American scientists 23 March 2015 presented their developments at the national conference of the American Chemical Society, the Science Daily reported. Scientists have created equipment for the soldiers, which uses the protein of this marine inhabitant. The invention very quickly interested the military. The idea of developing camouflage from innovative material first appeared after statistics on the death of soldiers at night were made public. Due to the use of night-vision equipment by the enemy, the statistics turned out to be simply frightening. While during the day the soldier effectively camouflages ordinary camouflage, at night they hardly manage to escape from the enemy’s night vision devices.
Standard military camouflage uniforms, made in different colors depending on the region of use, quite effectively hide fighters from the enemy in virtually any terrain, but only during the daytime. With the onset of night, camouflage does not play any role if the enemy has night vision devices; he is unable to protect soldiers from the effects of infrared radiation and, accordingly, firing at them. To eliminate this flaw, chemist Alon Gorodetsky of the University of California decided to use the properties of squid skin, which are able to easily disguise as the surrounding terrain.
American scientists have paid attention to the ability of squid to disguise, finding that in their skin are special cells called iridocytes and containing the protein reflectin. Such cells are able to form individual clusters or layers under the influence of flowing biochemical reactions. They can also change the thickness of the layers and the distance between them, thereby changing the reflectivity of some areas or the entire skin of the mollusk.
Initially, scientists created a technology for producing thin layers of reflex by special bacteria. The effect of masking in infrared light in this particular case was provided by the treatment of films with vapors of concentrated acetic acid. However, the use of such technology in a combat situation, of course, is completely unacceptable. Then they decided to modify the technology and now reflectin films are deposited on specially prepared polymer substrates that resemble the kind of adhesive tape that is in every home. These elements can easily be attached to a variety of materials, including fabrics.
Experts in the field of creating military ammunition note that such “stickers” are able to effectively protect soldiers from fixation with thermal imagers and night vision devices. The effect of their use is 100%, which is expected to cause a stir among the US military. Many army units have already expressed their interest in a new scientific development. Prepared films of reflectin protein on polymeric substrates can be easily glued onto uniforms and items of military ammunition. Scientists expect to produce such a film rolls. A soldier can always get an inexpensive single-use roll from a knapsack, unfold it or stick it on his uniform, and after use simply take it off and discard it. Camouflage functions will be activated mechanically by stretching.
“Our approach is simple and it is fully compatible with a very wide range of surfaces, potentially allowing you to hide a large number of objects from the“ infrared view ”,” says inventor Alon Gorodetsky. "Our long-term goal is to develop a fabric that can dynamically change its color and texture in order to adapt to the environment is the task of a science fiction level," the scientist shared his ambitious plans for development.
So far, the technology is not yet fully prepared, and there is no talk of testing in the field. But in the near future, soldiers will be able to take along a special roll of masking tape for operation, which can be used as needed. At the same time, a number of problems remain unsolved: how to increase the versatility of labels and increase their brightness. So far, this film shows itself well only in the range of near-infrared light. Therefore, the developers were tasked with expanding the effect of such a film on the mid- and long-wavelength part of the infrared range.
Information sources:
http://gearmix.ru/archives/19062
http://www.gpclub.ru/11163.html
http://www.gpclub.ru/11216.html
http://www.bfm.ru/news/289014?from=popular_1
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